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The phone rang in Kabir's apartment. Ananya picked it up.
Tarini: Hi Ananya! How are you?
Ananya: Hi Tarini. I am great. Enjoying seeing Mr. Editor-in-Chief cook for me
Tarini chuckled. She requested Ananya to put her on speaker.
Tarini: Kabir you probably remember that it's anurag's 10th birthday tomorrow. I told you guys how he is having a tough time at school and he refused to call any classmates over. But I still want to make his birthday special. Would you guys mind joining us?
Kabir: Are you kidding me Tarini? Of course we'll come
Ananya: We'd have come even without your invitation.
Next day Ananya and Kabir showed up before Anurag got home from school. While Tarini went to get Anurag hOME Ananya and Kabir decorated the place.
anurag had a sullen expression when he got home but he cheered up when he saw the decorations.
Tarini: You like it?
Anurag nodded.
Kabir and Ananya didi have done it.
Hearing Kabir's name Anurag's face fell.
Kabir came forward with the cake. Anurag threw it away.
Anurag yelled at Kabir "I hate you!"
Everyone was shocked. Anurag went away to the other room. Tarini tried stopping him but Kabir asked her to let him go.
Tarini: I don't know what's wrong with him these days.
Ananya: Tarini did anything happen recently.
Tarini thought back. She suddenly realized what had happened but she kept quiet.
Kabir: Tarini, I can read that face. Tell us what happened.
Tarini: Kabir a few weeks back, Anurag got free from school early and I still had work at the orphanage. So I took him there.
Umm. Actually Shreya showed up there. It's one of the places she was looking to fund through her company's CSR. Then she met me and.. said some things.
Kabir: What things.. Tarini.. tell me what did she say.
Tarini: Kabir she started her usual nonsense about Anurag being your son and how you had abandoned us. She made some particularly nasty remarks about anurag's disability and how that was the reason you'd never accept him.
I thought Anurag was inside. But he must have...
Ananya: Overheard those things. and he's such a sensitive kid..
Kabir: I could kill that woman. Let me go and speak to anurag.
Tarini: No Kabir. He's really hurt and he might say some..
Kabir: He can say what he likes to me. It's his right.
Kabir went to Anurag's room.
Anurag: Get out. I hate you!
Kabir went and hugged anurag...aNURAG tried pushing him away. But Kabir didn't budge..
Kabir: But I love you...
Anurag: No you don't.. I heard that Aunty tel mumma.. you... are... my... papa... But you don;t love me because I cant walk...
Big tears fell from his eyes and Kabir strengthened his grip around him...
Outside Tarini was pouring her heart out to Ananya
Tarini: I need to tell him about his father, don't i?
Annaya nodded.
Tarini: How do I explain to a 10 year old that his father abandoned him?
Ananya: By making him realize that he has other people in his life who love him to the moon and back.
Inside Anurag's room
Kabir: Beta.. I am not your papa. Or I should say that I am not lucky enough to have you as my son.. But I love you as much or more than I'll ever love my own children...
Anurag: But... but... then who;s my papa...
Tarini walked in with Ananya.. she sat next to anurag and tried explaining the story of his father's abandonment as gently as she could. Anurag listened intently. At the end he asked a single question, a question that broke everyone's heart.
Anurag: Was I not worthy of his love?
Ananya: No beta. He wasn't worthy of your love.
Tarini, Kabir and Annaya embraced Anurag in a big bear hug. Later they made sure that Anurag had a memorable 10th birthday
15 years later.
Anurag had grown up into a strapping young man. With advanced treatment he ahd been able to walk on his feet, albeit with a slight limp. As anurag had grown older Tarini had become a full fledged reporter again. She had finally found true love in the form of Sidharth a lawyer she had met while doing a case. Sidharth and Anurag shared a wonderful bond - somewhere between two friends and mentor-protege.
On Anurag's 25th birthday, Sidharth and Tarini had also tied the knot. Ananya and Kabir were hosting a dinner in honour of their wedding.
Ananya: You guys make such a lovely couple...
Sidharth put his hand around Tarini.
Sidharth: Who would say that we have a 25 year old son? We barely look more than teenagers ourselves.
Everyone laughed. Anurag was putting Kabir and Ananya's 10 year old twins to sleep. Kavya and Aditya were the light of Kabir and Ananya's life. Anurag was especially fond of them and loved taking care of them
Anurag: ananya didi, those two are becoming such brats.
Kabir: They are taking their father's revenge. I remember another young boy who asked me to tell him a love story as a bedtime tale..
Anurag blushed.
Ananya: You know Sid and Tarini, our first date had happened under Anurag;s watchful eye.
Anurag: Oh,, you guys owe me one for that. I put your love story on the fast track.. You two were so hopeless.
they continued reminiscencing about beautiful stories from the past. No one realized how the time flew. Their reverie was broken by the clock striking 12.
Tarini: We better get going.
She stood up and hugged Kabir and ANanya
Tarini: tHANK You, for always being my family.
Anurag: Kabir, Ananya di even I should head out, These guys just have to go to nearby Bandra. I have to drive all the way to Powai.
Sid: Where do you think you are going?
Anurag: Sid, don't be silly. Powai of course - you have snuck into that house so many times..
Sid: And who says you can continue living there?
Anurag; Where else will I live?
Tarini & Sid: With us of course.
Anurag: Ma, Sid don't be silly. Ma you have finally found happiness in your persinal life.. I don't want to come in between. Plus I am all grown up. I can live alone.
Tarini: For me you are still my baby boy.
Sid: Come on anurag, aren't we family?
Anurag: Of course you are.. bUT...
Sid: No more buts, You'll have comlete freedom in the new house,.. come and go as you please. But that house won't be a home without you.
Anurag hugged Sid emotionally..
Anurag: Thanks Sid.. I can't tell you how glad I am that Mom and I have you in our lives...
Sid: The pleasure is all mine. And I hope I'll always be worthy of your love.
Anurag, Sid and Tarini hugged.
Ananya and Kabir stood in the background smiling happily. Kabir kissed Ananya and whispered in her ears.
Kabir: I am so glad that Tarini found her soulmate in Sid like I find mine in you. I am sure all three of them will fill their lives with love.
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